5. 14 16. 1 Joh. 5. 11. And the Grace of God to all men especially to them that believe In giving Christ to be a Testimony to men in their proper seasons the light of the World and the Mediator between God and Men and the Apostle and High-priest of the Believers Profession 2 Cor. 6. 1 2. Eph. 3. 4 5. 1 Tim. 2. 4 6. Heb. 3. 1. and ch 4. 14 16. And his Grace to be brought at the Revelation of Jesus Christ 1 Per. 1. 13. and ch 3. 7. And the Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ who being rich for our sakes became poor that we thorow his poverty might be enriched 2 Cor. 8. 9. who in his grace gave himself for our sins that he might deliver us from this present evil World Gal. 3. 4. Whose hands have laid the Foundation and whose hands shall finish And he shall bring forth the Head-stone with shoutings grace grace to it Zech. 4 7 9. Act. 15. 11. And Peace Even The Peace of God which passeth all Vnderstanding Phil. 4. 7. which Christ hath made for us by the Blood of his Cross Col. 1. 20. And which he is become who is our Peace Eph. 2. 13 14 15. and which is in him Joh. 16. 33. and he hath to proclaim and preach to men even to such also as are far off and to make them partakers of by Faith who believe He being the Prince of Peace the King of Salem that is King of Peace And that everlasting Peace he will extend like a River Eph. 2. 13 17. Mica 4. 5. Heb. 7. 1 2. Isay 9. 6 7. and ch 54. 10. and ch 66. 12. Psal 37. 11. This Grace and Peace he votes for and desires to be unto them In the further knowledge and firmer and stronger belief of it that they might grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ 2 Pet. 3. 18. 2 Thess 3. 10. In the further participation hereof and in further tastes of the sweetness Satisfaction and delightfulness thereof having access thereinto Rom. 5. 2. and being filled therewith Rom. 15. 13. tasting the graciousness of the Lord that as new born Babes they might more desire the sincere milk of the Word Ps 34. 8. Prov. 24. 13 14. 1 Pet. 2. 2 4. Phil. 4. 4 7. In the further efficacy thereof so as to receive this grace to purpose so as to be made partakers thereby of the end of the Faith even the Salvation of the Soul 2 Cor. 6. 1 2. For the grace of God which bringeth Salvation to all Men hath appeared Teaching us that denying Vngodliness and Worldly Lusts we should live soberly righteously and godly in this present evil World c. Tit. 2. 11 14. And that the Peace of God may rule in our hearts and we may follow Peace with all Men and Holiness And especially that his Churches might be at Peace among themselves Act. 11. 23. Rom. 12. 18. Heb. 12. 14. 1 Thess 5. 13. Now in that he votes and-desires this for all the Churches so he signifies to us 1. That this Grace and Peace was sufficient for them all for them that were taught in the Word and for them that did teach them for the Angels of the Churches and for the Churches and for them in their various States and Conditions 2 Cor. 12. 9. To recover Ephesus which had left and abated in its first love Gal. 1. 3 4. To enable Smyrna to be faithful unto the Death that they might receive the Crown of Life 2 Tim. 2. 1. Phil. 4. 7. To help Pergamus and Thyatira against those evil and corrupt teachers that were amongst them that they might not be carried about with divers and strange teachers but might turn away from them and reject them Gal. 1. 3. 6 9. Heb. 13. 9. To revive the work in Sardis who had a name that they lived and were dead Rev. 3. 1 3. 1 Cor. 15. 1 3. To incourage and strengthen Philadelphia to hold that fast which they had that none might take their Crown 2 Tim. 2. 1 8. To make fervent and zealous Laodicea who were become luke-warm 1 Pet. 1. 22 23. 1 Joh. 3. 16 18. and ch 4. 14 17 19. And it is good for every one that hath an Ear to hear what is voted and desired for all the Churches 2. He votes one thing for them all that they might rejoyce and have fellowship together and none have some secret thing with themselves to rejoyce in or be comforted withal Job 15. 11. But that the joy of one might be the joy of them all 2 Cor. 2 3. In this Grace and Peace the Brother of low degree might rejoyce in that he is exalted and the rich that he is made low Jam. 1. 9 10. Phil. 3. 1 2. and ch 4. 4. 3. He desires the same thing for them all though some of them were greatly faulty reproved and threatned yet while Christ hath not cast them off but owns them as his Churches good is to be desired for them and love testified unto them and their good is to be endeavoured and pursued Gal. 1. 3 4. See the notes on v. 9. and on v. 12. So for the Churches generally this is voted and desired by the residue of the Apostles for such also as were much faulty 4. This Grace and Peace might be to them whose favour soever they wanted or what troubles trials tribulations or restraints soever they met withal or in what condition or place soever they were in None could let or hinder them of the knowledge and enjoyment hereof unless they themselves provoked God to with hold these good things from them by their iniquities no Banishments Imprisonments thick-walls or strong-barres could shut this out Consider this 2 Cor. 12. 9 11. Joh. 14. 27. and ch 16. 33. 5. This Grace and Peace is the principal and most excellent thing and therefore worthy to be desired sought after embraced and entertained by us He prayeth not for mens favour or peace in this World for them or for Riches Honours Pleasures here but for Grace and Peace to be to them all This is his vote and desire for the Churches and it is instructive and imitableforus 2. From whom doth he desire these things for them It followeth From him which is and which was and which is to come which is the Interpretation of Jehovah And hereby is signified to us the Father as it there appeareth in that this person is distinguished from the Holy Spirit and from the Word see also ch 4. 8 and ch 16. 5. From him which is Namely hath his being of himself and gives a being to all other things Act. 17. 25 28. 1 Cor. 8. 6. His Name is I AM As he saith unto Moses when he said unto God when the Children of Israel shall say to me what is his name what shall I say unto them And God said unto Moses I AM that I AM And he said Thus shalt thou say unto the Children of
flow from unfeigned faith in him even from the hearty mindfulness and high-prizing of the precious Blood of Christ and the love therein commended to Sinners It is Faith even the Word of Faith believed that worketh by Love Gal. 5. 6. and so also produceth as the consequent thereof good works Heb. 10. 24. 1 Thes 1. 3 5. and ch 2. 13. The principle of those works which are acceptable to God is not our own wisdom or any thing in our selves or because it is our duty simply but the Grace of God his free-love manifested in the gift of his Son to be the Saviour of the World 2 Cor. 1. 12. The Grace of God that bringeth Salvation to all Men hath appeared teaching us that denying Vngodliness and Worldly Lusts we should live soberly righteously and godly in this present World Tit. 2. 11 12. This Gospel and good news being heartily embraced doth powerfully operate to the denying and abhorring what is evil and to the doing what is well-pleasing in his sight Joh. 15. 2 6. 1 Joh. 3. 6. Now their works could not be the first because they were as we have before seen fallen in some measure from Christ and from the high prizing of his Cross and his love and kindness therein manifested and commended 2. The first works also appear to be such as are done in â—ervent and inflamed love to Jesus Christ and in love and charity to Men hence called the work and labour of love begotten by and exercised in the love of and unto Christ and also exercised towards Men and Brethren Heb. 6. 9. 1 Thes 1. 3. And this love is the fulfilling of the Law Rom. 13. 10. and all without it is nothing as the Apostle saith though I have the gift of Prophesie and understand all Mysteries and all Knowledge and though I have all Faith so that I could remove Mountains and have not Love or Charity I am nothing And though I bestow all my Goods to feed the Poor and though I give my Body to be burned and have not Love or Charity it profiteth me nothing 1 Cor. 13. 1 3. Gal. 5. 13 14. And this exhortation is given Let all your things be done with Love or Charity 1 Cor. 16. 13. Now their works could not be the first works because they had left their first-love 3. The first works are such as of which Christ is the Omega and end also and God in him A Man may do many things good in themselves and yet to a wrong end it may be to establish a Righteousness to himself Rom. 10. 2 3. and all such works will not profit or avail to the rendring us acceptable in the sight of God Isay 57. 12. Thus the Jews sought after Righteousness as it were by the works of the Law in which they sinned against the end of the Law Jesus Christ and stumbled and took offence at that stumbling-Stone and Rock of Offence not submitting themselves to the Righteousness of God Rom. 9. 30 31 33. and ch 10. 1 4. After such a manner also the Galatians were snared by those Evil-workers that came amongst them after they had begun to run well and were called into the Grace of Christ by listening to those Spiritual Witches that came amongst them they sought to perfect by the Flesh what was begun by the Spirit Gal. 1. 6. and ch 3. 1. and ch 5. 1 4. Or the end of what a Man doth may be that he may have praise of Men as it is with the Hyppocrites when they give alms it is that they may have Glory of Men when they pray that they may be seen of Men when they fast they so do it that they may appear unto Men to fast Mat. 6. 2 6 16. And thus our Saviour saith of the Scribes and Pharisees All their works they do for to be seen of Men Mat. 23. 2 5. And of this evil end the Apostle warns in saying Be not desirous of Vain-glory Gal. 5. 26. But now the first or best Luke 15. 22. works are such as in which a Man knowing that Christ hath brought in Everlasting Righteousness and that all is prepared in him he doth therefore in all aim at his Glory and therein at the good of Men and especial good of Believers as the Apostle exhorts Whether ye eat or drink or whatsoever ye do do all to the Glory of God Give none Offence neither to the Jews nor to the Gentiles nor to the Church of God Even as I please all Men in all things not seeking mine own profit but the profit of many that they may be saved 1 Cor. 10. 31 33. and ch 11. 1. Phil. 1. 20 21. 1 Cor. 9. 22. Now from this Branch of the Counsel we may also briefly note some Instructions As 1. In that he had before intimated that they had at first when the Gospel was preached to and received by them a first and servent love and now also intimates that they had first works so he gives us to understand that when God's love in Christ to Sinners is so known and believed that it turns the Heart to him and begets love unto him it will also produce works good and acceptable works such as are well-pleasing in his sight So much the Apostle signifies as with respect to the Thessalonians when he saith Ye received the word of God which ye heard of us not as the word of Men but as it is in truth the word of God which effectually worketh also in you that believe It wrought so effectually in them that it wrought Love in them and the work of Faith and Labour of Love c. 1 Thes 2. 13. with ch 1. 3 10. 1 Joh. 3. 16 18. Gal. 5. 6. 2. In that he saith And do the first works so he signifieth to us that though there may be works with us yet not such as are approved of him nay though they may be right and good in themselves yet they may not proceed from the Faith nor be done in Fervent Love and Charity nor may we aim at Christ at his Glory and the promoting the things of his Kingdom as the end and to be sure if we have leâ—t our first-love and that be waxed cold and if we have abated in our former high prizings of the precious sufferings and Blood of our Gracious Redeemer and the love therein discovered our works will also be defective as it was with these Come we to the light Joh. 3. 21. 3. In that he saith Remember and repent c. so he signifieth to us that the way to do the first works is to remember Christ's works and to repent and turn to him again from whom we have revolted and back-sliden for as he hath wrought all our works for us so it is he also that must work them in us Isay 26. 12. Phil. 2. 12 15. They must needs be dead works imperfect unacceptable works unless such as have left their first love remember how they have received and heard
reins and hearts according to the scope of â—his pâ—ace â—er 32. â—â— Aâ—â— the end of seducers and of those that have been seduced and polluted by them shall be according to their works 2 Cor. 11. 15. and ch 5. 10. Verse 24 and Verse 25. But unto you I say and unto the rest in Thyatira as many as have not this Doctrine and which have not known the depths of Satan as they speak I will put upon you none other burden But that which ye have already hold fast till I come In these two verses our Saviour after he had declared how he would deal with Jezebel and her Paramours and Children and what effect these judgments he would execute upon them should have upon the Churches c. v. 20 23. here addresses himself to them who had kept themselves unspotted from their pollutions Wherein note in Generall That when Christ is angry with and threatens evil Men and seducers and such evil ones in his Churches as are polluted by them or have fellowship in any unfruitful work of darkness yet still he hath love for and speaks friendly and kindly unto those whose hearts are upright before him and â—ound in his testimonies he is not like unto us when some have displeased us we are apt to be angry with all but when he is angry with evil speakers and doers and though he gives a dreadful description of himself v. 18. yet he is still graciously affected towards and speaks gently and loveingly unto those who who keep themselves pure So it appears here in these two verses and in what follows presently so also in ch 3. 2 4. when he saith to the Angel and Church in Sardis generally I have not found thy works perfect before God And threateneth If thou shalt not watch I will come on thee as a thief and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee yet then presently he speaks to the hearts of such as were perfect before God Thou hast a few names which have not defiled their garments anâ— they shall walk with me in white for they are worthy so when he had been declaring the great iniquities and transgressions of his people in former times and threatning heavy judgments against them therefore yet then he chargeth his servants say unto the righteous that it shall be well with him for they shall eat the fruit of their doings Isay 2 and ch 3. 1 10. and when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah c. he remembred Abraham and sent Lot out of the midst of the overthrow Gen. 19. 29. 2 Pet. 2. 9. how might this therefore engage us so to receive his grace that bringeth salvation to all men that denying ungodliness and worldly lusts we may live soberly righteously and godly in this present World considering in so doing he will receive us and will be a Father to us how angry soever he be with others 2 Cor. 6. 14 18. and how may it comfort those who are upright-hearted and strengthen them not to fear though the earth be moved and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea for God will be their refuge and strength and will never leave them nor forsake them however angry he be with or how much soever he threatneth and punisheth others amongst whom they live see notes on ch 3. v. 4. more particularly in these two verses we have to consider and speak unto these things 1. The persons unto whom he speaketh kindly 2. What he saith and speaketh unto these Persons 1. The Persons unto whom he now speaketh kindly And they are thus described to us by way of distinction from and opposition unto those fore-spoken of But unto you I say and unto the rest in Thyatira as many as have not this Doctrine and which have not known the depths of Satan as they speak Vnto you I say These persons are distinguished from those that follow and it appears that hereby are meant those that went before this Church their Ministers Bishops or overseers for in the beginning of every Epistle Christ directs himself to the Angel as we have said and seen before and though the word Angel be used in the singular number to denote the unity that ought to be in them in the faith of Christ and profession thereof yet there might be and it doth appear plainly by this expression there was more than one Minister over the Churches see notes on ch 1. v. 20. so when the Apostle writes to the Church of the Philippians at Philippi he thus directs it To all the Saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi with the Bishops c. As signifying to us they had more than one Bishop or overâ—eer over that Church Phil. 1. 1. and so it appears there were several in the Church of Ephesus Acts 20. 17. with v. 28. see also Tit. 1. 5. and so Servants in one Evangelist is Servant in another Mat. 22. 4. with Luke 14. 17. Ps 34. 7. it appears evidently enough in this place that there was more then on single person in each Church to watch over it as also where it is said when Paul and Barnabas had ordained them not one elder in every Church but elders in every Church c. Acts 14. 23. and so undoubtedly it appears there was more than one Elder in a Church by what the Apostle James saith Is an sick among you let him call for the elders of the Church and let them pray over him And unto the rest in Thyatira namely to the residue of the Believers in that Church who were not in such office as those before spoken of were Which have not this doctrine To wit of Jezabel that evil pernicious doctrine Some were preserved and kept themselves pure from her polluting and pernicious Doctrine while others were defiled therewith see the notes on ch 3. v. 4. so when the Apostle Paul saith The Spirit speaketh expresly that in the last days some will depart from the Faith giving heed to seducing Spirits c. 1 Tim. 4. 1. he signifieth to us that all the believers would not do so Some would not follow those strangers who came to remove them and did remove others from the grace of Christ unto another Gospel and these shall judge those that transgresâ— and abide not in the doctrine of Christ And he directeth Timothy and us all how we may be preserved from erroneous Spirits saying Take heed unto thy self and unto the doctrine continue in them for in doing this thou shalt both save thy self and them that hear thee 1 Tim. 4. 16. 2 Tim. 3. 13 14 15 16. 1 Joh. 2. 24 25 26. And which have not known the depths of Satan as they speak In this he giveth us to understand 1. That they had depths in their evil and abominable doctrines as they called them so they spake and boasted of mysterious things which they thought were not easily or readily understood by others they had cunningly devised fables and might
Churches Heb. 4. 12 13. Ps 33. 15. All the Churches shall know saith Christ that I am he that searcheth the reins and hearts and I will give to every one of you according to your works see notes on ch 2. v. 23. hence he saith to every one of the Churches I know thy works that is he takes notice of them and considers of what nature or kind soever they be see notes on ch 2. 1. and the consideration hereof may be useful to us 1. To preserve us from or purge out of us those foolish blasphemous and Athestical thoughts whereby Men think to hide their doin the dark from his all-seeing eye Thus some wickedly reasoned thorow their ignorance and blindness as it seems in that the Lord saith can any hide themselves in secret places that I shall not see them Do not I fill Heaven and Earth saith the Lord Jer. 23. 24. Isay 29. 15. Thus again it is said Is not God in the height of Heaven and behold the height of the stars how high are they and thou sayest how doth God know can he Judge thorow the dark cloud Thick clouds are a covering to him that he seeth not c. Job 22. 12 14. and ch 24. 15 17. and ch 34. 22. 2 It might also and would be powerful to preserve us from putting forth our hand to iniquity were it considered by us that he searcheth into and knoweth all our works and why wilt thou my Son saith the holy Spirit be ravisht with a strange Woman For the ways of a Man are before the eyes of the Lord and he pondereth all his goings Prov. 5. 20 21. Ps 44. 20 21. Job 31. 1 4. O then walk we before him and be we perfect see notes on ch 2. v. 23. 2. Herein is affirmed that Christ did not upon search find their works perfect before God they might be and it appears they were perfect before Men before the Angel or Angels and Churches Because they had a name amongst them that they lived as before v. 1. others thought and spake highly honourably of them to their hurt and prejudice it seems But here our Lord Jesus he who is holy he who is true deals faithfully with them and undeceives them and others concerning them and saith Thy works have not been found by me perfect before God and his open rebuke and conviction was better than secret love or their Brethren's high commendations of them Faithful were the wounds of this Friend Prov. 27. 5 6. Ps 141. 5. But may not the same be said of all believers works Are any of their works perfect before God Is there not imperfection in them all To that we may say they are not compleatly perfect not so according to the strictness of the law or letter for there is not a just Man upon the earth that doth good and sinneth not Eccl. 7. 20. there are iniquities cleaving to their holy things and so to their best works doings and performances So as if God should strictly observe the failings and imperfections cleaving to them he might wipe them our and reject them Exod. 28. 38. with 1 Pet. 2. 5. Neh. 13. 14 22 31. But yet Blessed is the Man to whom the Lord will not impute sin Rom. 4. 5 8. and Ps 32. 1 2. Blessed are the perfect or undefiled in the way who walk in the law of the Lord Blessed are they that keep his testimonies and that seek him with the whole heart They also do no iniquity they walk in his ways Ps 119. 1 2 6. There is no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus who walk not after the flesh but after the Spirit such God justifies not as to their persons only but also as to their works and who then shall condemn them Rom. 8. 1 33 34. A Man's works may be said according to the rule of the Gospel to be perfect when they are done in union with Jesus Eph. 2. 10. and so are produced by the Faith of the Gospel which faith worketh by love and these two are the new creature Gal. 5. 6. with ch 6. 15. when they proceed from the grace of God which brings salvation to all Men known and heartily believed whereby the heart is purified and body washt with that pure water so as according to the teachings thereof denying ungodliness and worldly lusts they walk soberly righteously and godly in this present World Looking for that blessed hope c. Tit. 2. 11 14. and the end of this conversation is that God in all things may be glorified thorow Jesus Christ and therein the good of Men and Brethren is endeavoured and pursued 1 Pet. 4. 11. 1 Cor. 10. 32 33. see the notes on ch 2. v. 5. and thus the works of the weakest as well as of the strongest may be perfect before God for whosoever abideth in Christ sinneth not 1 Joh. 3. 6. Verse 3. Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard and hold fast and repent If therefore thou shalt not watch I will come on thee as as a thief and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee The former part of this verse contains in it a gracious direction which our Lord gives to this Angel and Church and it refers to what goes before as is evident In v. 1. he had said thou art dead and here Remember therefore to the end thou mayest be revived quickned enlivened and comforted and it 's like to that Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen see notes on ch 2. v. 5 and so that here directed to is like to what the Psalmist provokes his Soul unto when the sorrows of death compassed him Return saith he unto thy rest O my Soul for the Lord hath dealt bountifully with thee to wit in that thy rest Ps 116. 3 7. or like to what Jonah relaâ—es when my Soul fainted within me I remembred the Lord and my prayer came in unto thee into thine holy Temple Jonah 2. 4 7. that which did enliven them at the first when they were dead in sins and trespasses was also powerful to revive them again even Christ as declared in the Gospel and so the Gospel of Christ which is the word of life Phil. 2. 16. Or this may have reference unto the former part of v. 2. Be watchful and strengthen the things that remain which are ready to dy But how should they do that thus Remember therefore â—ow thou hast received and heard c. the weakness of God even the foolish preaching of Christ crucified is stronger than Men It is the power of God whereby thou mayest be enabled to strengthen those dying things Rom. 1. 16 17. 1 Cor. 1. 17 22 25. Or this direction instruction may have reference to the latter clause of v. 2. or to Christ himself as convincing them of and reproving them for what was amiss in them I have not found thy works perfect before God Remember therefore c. like that ch 2.